The stars of Pash-Mara

The Prisoner in Iron

Serving a sentence of his soul’s own folly, this mortalwarlockreaches out for freedom.

Origin: The soul of this warlock, who was once an
unrivaled master of infernal magic, penitently suffers
under chain and stockade deep within the Iron
City of Dis. His captors have all but destroyed his
worldly legacy, even erasing his name from history.
Some believe fear drives devils to hide this legacy
relentlessly; legends say that the Prisoner’s power
rivaled those of the archdevils. In life he was one of
the Nine Hells’ greatest enemies, using his patron’s
infernal magic for good. Yet he was a dangerous ally
to mortals, arrogantly shattering religious taboos
and reveling in his powers. In the end, though, he
was bound to the price of his infernal patron’s pact.
The story says that he entered the Nine Hells of his
own volition with the intent of usurping his patron’s
throne or freeing himself from the pact. Either way,
the story ends with his soul being bound to eternal
anguish beneath the iron ramparts of Dis.

Goals: Powerful beyond fiendish reckoning, the
Prisoner in Iron projects his spirit into the world,
hoping you can undertake the impossible task of
storming the Iron City. He guides you to remnants of
his mortal life, hoping they can give you knowledge
to combat devils. These remains might be old allies,
artifacts, and physical remains of his mortal body.
Beware though, for your actions might draw the
gaze of Dispater, who is ever watchful for would-be
rescuers.

Interaction: The Prisoner speaks with resolute
honesty. He openly teaches you powers and urges
their use. Yet, this instruction carries dangerous
implications because the Prisoner has been corrupted
from a lifetime of infernal magic. Take heed: The
Prisoner represents not only the indomitable desire
for freedom, but the inevitable fate of warlocks following
the infernal pact. Could his plan be to swap
places with you in the end?

Communication: Relics associated with the Prisoner
serve as mediums through which his soul can
speak to you. Another more dire way is to offer up
the life of an enemy, temporarily giving the Prisoner’s
spirit strength to enter the world. This sacrifice could
be a one-way road to corruption.
Pact Boon: The Prisoner invigorates you with a
tiny shred of his power—a sacrifice that furthers his
slow annihilation. You can offer up your enemies to
replenish the Prisoner’s own store of power, but at
what cost to your own soul?

Roleplaying: Unlike most infernal warlocks, your
pact with the Prisoner gives you hellish powers without
the explicit selling of your soul. Do you believe
his plight, or do you not trust him because of his
tainted history? Maybe he’s no better than the devils
imprisoning him. How can you be sure he isn’t telling
you exactly what you want to hear? Others judge
you and question your morals, saying that no association
with the Nine Hells is justified. Do you scoff at
their warnings, or do you feel—like the Prisoner—that
infernal magic is neither good nor evil, but a tool one
can use for either end. You have chosen to follow the
Prisoner’s teachings, but you must be mindful of your
choices and their consequences so that you do not
follow his fate. Gods